August Tee Times

August 2020 Keeping Golfers Connected in TN, KY, MS, AL, NC

Johan the Magnificent Troubadour’s Johan Kok is a true ‘golf guy’ Pages 2-3

Inside!!

My Captain!: Sarah Ingram 5 Captain! gets second year as US Curtis Cup team leader Circle of life: Top teacher Nancy 8 Quarcelino sees career come full circle Show-Me State destination: New-look 12 Branson turns into golf destination

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The Golf Guy

Troubadour’s Johan Kok has many talents and one true passion

By Justin Onslow Tee Times Associate Editor Johan Kok is a golf guy, through and through.

Looking at his resume, the now four-time Tennessee PGA Professional Championship winner has a slew of accolades in what he calls his “second career” – life after the pro tours that spanned half a decade and took him across Europe and parts of the rest of the world. He’s a former Q School winner and a four-time PGA Championship qualifier who shot a 67 at Valhalla in the 2014 PGA Championship and aspires to make his first cut one of these days (knowing full well he still has the chops get back there).

Kok, who was born in South Africa and emigrated to America with his parents when he was in his pre-teen years, played college golf at the University of South Carolina. He’s rubbed shoulders (and enjoyed friendships) with the likes of David Frost and David Leadbetter. He walked alongside Tom Fazio as the master designer worked on Troubadour – the course Kok now calls home as the GM and Chief Operating Officer for Discovery Land Company, which developed the course and surrounding community.

You could say golf is just in Kok’s blood, but it’s not. His father was a tobacco farmer in South Africa and only played casually, though regularly, at the local club. But it was still friends of family members who ignited Kok’s passion for the game of golf and kickstarted what has turned out to be a career that places him among the best that have ever played golf in the state of Tennessee.

The early years

“I wouldn’t be playing golf if it wasn’t for David Frost,” Kok says of his formative years in South Africa. “He was a family friend, especially of my uncle, so he would come and visit on the farm in South Africa and that’s really how I got interested in golf. He was a top-10 golfer in the world at the time. For being a farm kid from South Africa who knew one of the world’s premier athletes, that’s definitely what sparked my interest.”

It wasn’t until Kok and his family moved to America (specifically Georgia), though, that he really fell in love with the game, living next to a golf course and having the opportunity to play more – certainly enough to get good enough to play college golf at South Carolina.

Kok struggled in college, and again, it was some legendary names who served as the glue that helped bring his story from there to here.

“I was really struggling in college with my game,” he admits. “I ended up working with South Africans who are pretty well known in the instruction world, and they’re really the ones who got my golf game back and allowed me to have what I consider a pretty decent professional career. Those influences were huge, and that was David Leadbetter at first and then Andrew Park and then Mark Immelman. Those three had a big influence on my golf game.”

Kok is also quick to point out other influences, like that of Joe Hallett of Vanderbilt Legends Club, who’s one of the best teachers in the state of Tennessee and was instrumental in Kok making a small tweak to his putting after day one of the most recent

No. 1 Green & Fairway Championship to get him back on track and ultimately win it.

During his time as a Gamecock, Kok earned degrees in both insurance and finance as well as real estate. He chose to chase a professional touring career, but those degrees would come in handy during his “second career.”

Planting roots

Kok traveled around the world while playing on the European, Nationwide, Challenge and South African tours, always trying to take time to enjoy the experiences of new places (a theme in his life to this day).

“I got to go to some pretty cool places that I wouldn’t have ever thought about going,” he says. “Probably the most unique place was Kazakhstan. I’ve done Cairo in the middle of the night from like 11 p.m. to 7 a.m. Morocco

(l-r) Chris Apple,PGA, Director of Golf and Johan Kok, PGA, General Manager

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Johan Kok, Braxton Hunter, Adam Forgey and Brian Wood was pretty neat. I always enjoyed playing the Russian Open, which was just outside Moscow.”

From moving to America from South Africa to touring the rest of the world, Kok has been on the move much of his life, epitomizing one of Ben Hogan’s greatest quotes: “As you walk down the fairway of life you must smell the roses, for you only get to play one round.”

But living a nomadic lifestyle and simply traveling a lot with roots planted in one place are two very different things. It wasn’t until 11 years ago, give or take, that Kok finally found his roots firmly in the ground.

“I love Tennessee,” he says. “I’ve considered Nashville home now for 11 years. I love Georgia; went to school in South Carolina. I never really considered a place home until I moved to Tennessee.”

Branching out

The path less traveled

“I didn’t want to go the traditional golf pro route,” Kok admits. “I really wanted to be more of the management and sales side of the golf business. I’ve never been an assistant pro or head pro at all in the golf business.”

It’s a fact that defines Kok’s career path to this point – one that started out in the leasing office of Ed Voyles Automotive.

“When I stopped playing pro golf, I actually went to go work for a buddy of mine in the car business, just for fun, while I was trying to figure out what was next,” he explains.

Kok had the foresight, even before his short detour, to talk with Joe Guerra, who was at the time the founder, president and CEO of Sequoia Golf Holdings. Sequoia had bought up most of the golf courses in the area and Kok reached out for some advice about how to get into the business side of golf without working his way through jobs he didn’t really want.

“I met with him one day and said, “Hey, I just stopped playing golf and I’m looking into getting a career in golf and don’t want to go the traditional route,’” he says. “He’s the one that convinced me to go into sales to understand the importance of membership sales and having customers.”

From there, Kok did a three-year stint with Sequoia as Membership Director of Temple Hills Country Club in Franklin, Tenn., before jumping at the chance to take on an assistant GM and then GM role.

Fully committed to his new home in Tennessee, Kok took his next job nearby as GM at the Hideaway at Arrington, where he served for three years until his passion collided head-on with his educational background and off-the-course interests.

A new home in a familiar place

“I consider Tom Fazio to be the best of the best, not only for design but as a caring person,” Kok says. “He really looks at golf course design from every player’s perspective, not just for good player or an average player.”

A Tom Fazio design means something in the golf world, and it surely means something to Kok. As Troubadour Golf & Field Club was being designed and built, Kok had the opportunity to walk the property with Fazio, taking in his thoughts and giving some of his own, admiring Fazio’s brilliance as well as his desire to know what Kok thought, too.

“It was interesting to walk a golf course with him,” he adds. “His design is very common sense-driven. Make the course playable for all handicaps and still challenging and fun for your professionals and low-handicappers.”

In addition to the playability factor, Fazio and his team wanted to capitalize on the natural beauty Middle Tennessee has to offer.

“The property was always gorgeous, and now we’ve built this absolutely stunning championship golf course,” Kok says. “It really features what Middle Tennessee has to offer. To be able to capture that in a golf course and design and also keep it super playable and enjoyable, I think Tom Fazio did a great job.”

Troubadour being a Discovery Land Company property, Kok’s job also involves some real estate aspects that appeal to him for a number of reasons. He has a degree in real estate and also dabbles in real estate investments of his own. It’s a match made in heaven that all started with a plan predicated on just being around golf.

2020 Tennessee PGA Professional Champion 2017 • 2018 • 2019 • 2020

A golf guy

“Everybody has their escapes,” Kok says.

“Mine has always been the golf course. I play a lot of golf with friends, and I also play a lot of golf by myself. I’ll play nine holes late in the afternoon. I’ve always enjoyed that; just getting away from everything.”

There’s a certain sense of irony in Kok using golf to escape from everything else for a while, seeing as that much of what makes up “everything” for him professionally is golf.

Such is the curse of a man who’s simply a golf guy, through and through.

Sure, there’s the social gatherings and bars and live music Kok loves – “I’m a pretty social person; I like being around people.” – and traveling the world as he so often did when he was touring. There’s the once-every-couple-years trips back to South Africa to see friends and family, “spend time out in the bush” and generally re-find his footing. There’s intramural sports and various friend groups of all sorts (musicians, bar owners, TV hosts).

But, when it all comes down to it, Kok is a golf guy. It’s his passion, the object of his best talents and his escape from a reality that’s rooted in golf itself.

2018 TPGA Player of Year

Firmly entrenched in the Tennessee golf world, Kok began making a name for himself locally and statewide, eventually winning his first of four Tennessee PGA Professional Championships and earning his first of three consecutive trips to the PGA Championship, to which he would add a fourth in 2018.

“To be able to have a little bit of the history of the state in your accomplishments is something special,” he says of his success playing golf in Tennessee. “There’s really good people and players that have come from the state of Tennessee, so to be considered as one of the better golfers to come from the state, that’s pretty special, especially when you’re from another country.”

Kok has no aspirations or grand vision of winning the PGA Championship, but he does have a goal to make the cut at some point, which really speaks to his talent and confidence – most club pros dream of making just one PGA Championship, let alone four or more.

The other of two final goals for his playing days – “I’m getting older; I realize that.” – is to win a Tennessee State Open, which Kok

believes is the harder of the two.

“I’d love to win the Tennessee State Open, but that’s getting a lot harder,” he says.

“There are a lot of good tour players playing in that tournament and Tennessee’s golf has gotten so much better since I’ve been here the last 10 years.”

So, while Kok continues to play at a high level and work toward those goals, he splits his focus with his other great passion in life, which also happens to orbit within the golf universe.

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From tHE Editor

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Sarah Ingram’s Curtis Cup captaincy will be extended a second year after the matches were postponed until 2021.

By Gregg Dewalt

Ingram’s Curtis Cup captaincy enters second year The Curtis Cup captaincy is supposed to be a one-year and done deal.

So why is Sarah Ingram now entering her second year as the U.S. Curtis Cup captain? Because of the virus, you know.

Like all other major sporting events at the time, the coronavirus pandemic shut down what was supposed to be this summer’s Curtis Cup matches in Wales. They were postponed until next August, and as a result Ingram gets another year as the team’s captain.

Like everybody else involved in the matches, Ingram was disappointed the 2020 Curtis Cup matches were delayed until next year. In a recent phone interview, though, Ingram said she was more disappointed for the players than for herself.

“For me personally, I was disappointed at first, but my disappointment is nothing compared to all the other people around the world and in our country,” she said. As it pertains to golf and the (college) senior players that were hoping to play on team, I’m disappointed for them because they

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were looking forward to a final senior season and then playing on the Curtis Cup team and possibly turning pro.

Now they have to make decisions moving forward - whether they are going to turn pro and forgo the Curtis Cup or remain amateurs stay in mix for possibly making the team. Those are tough decisions. Our event, it will happen just down the road again.”

There was a practice squad of Curtis Cup hopefuls in place, but the U.S. team had not been selected when golf was shut down. So far, among the pool of Curtis Cup team hopefuls only Furman’s Natalie Srinivasan has turned professional.

“I’m sad to miss out on her,” Ingram said. “She’s a great girl and a great player. She has earned some status for the Symetra tour, and when that gets started back up she will be able to play and work toward earning her LPGA card. She felt like she had done all she could do in amateur golf with the exception of playing on the Curtis Cup. I think that was probably a very difficult decision.”

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The rest of the players on the practice squad, including Vanderbilt’s Auston Kim, remain in the mix for next year’s matches. Also, there will be more players in the potential pool for the USGA’s international team selection committee to choose from.

Ingram and the selection committee have been monitoring amateur events across the country after tournament play resumed as they gear up for next year’s matches, which will be held Aug. 26-28 at the Conwy Golf Club in Wales.

“We want to get the most competitive players at that particular time on the team,” Ingram said.

Ingram said she hopes the extra year will help make her a better captain for the team moving forward.

“For me, I had so much going on in my life this past year I felt like everything was moving at such a fast pace,” she said. “I’ve had a year of being captain and understanding my role, and really getting to watch a lot of golfers and getting to know them. I hope this delay will help me be a better captain and do a better job than I might have done this past year.”

Ingram is also returning to tournament form on the course. She recently captured the Tennessee Women’s Se-

nior Amateur.

“I was lucky enough to win,” she said.

“It was my first win since coming back.

The last two years I have been getting back to golf. I’m enjoying the progression – first time to break 80; first time to break 80 in competition. I enjoy it and bettering myself.”

One thing Ingram won’t be – a Curtis Cup playing captain. In her return to golf, Ingram teed it up alongside some of the top amateurs in the country at a Ladies National Golf Association event at Tennessee Grasslands Golf and Country Club. Ingram admits she was no threat in the tournament won by Rachel Kuehn with rounds of 69-67-70.

“Having played with them, I know there is absolutely no way in world I could do that,” she said of being a playing captain. “I would say I was 20-50 yards behind them on drives. I won’t be playing in one of those again. It was fun and it was fun see all of the girls and get to know so many of them. It was completely different from when I was playing. I wish I could hit it like that.”

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A member of the 1992, 1994 and 1996 USA Curtis Cup Teams, Sarah is standing far right.

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Looking for a Tiger fix? Payne’s Valley fits the bill, and then some

By Gregg Dewalt Tee Times Editor BRANSON, Mo. – On a sweltering Missouri July afternoon, workers were busy adding finishing touches to the soon-to-be open Payne’s Valley golf course just outside of Branson.

The rat-tat-tat of jackhammers could be heard in the distance, hammering away at the rock facing above the 18th hole while other workers were carving out a 19th hole. Only this 19th hole won’t be a watering hole for players lined up to reminisce over the day’s game on Payne’s Valley.

Instead, this 19th hole will be where those same golfers go to settle up any unfinished betting business after the round. Or, maybe they will just go there to play another hole on what is sure to become one of the most talked about new course openings in the world – Payne’s Valley, by Tiger Woods.

When Payne’s Valley opens sometime in early September, it will be Tiger’s first public course offering and sure to get all the scrutiny of everything else in his life. Payne’s Valley will be the coup de grace on a site that features Ozarks National and Buffalo Ridge, Top of the Rock and Mountain Top. “(Branson) has always had golf courses, but I don’t think it has had

any on this level,” said Matt McQueary, the Big Cedar Lodge director of golf sales and marketing. “I think this brings us into the fold when we talk about national golf destinations where you are willing to travel a little bit more to play, and I think this course – Payne’s Valley – is going to be a bucket list course.”

The 13 holes that were open for play in July and a tour of the five remaining holes that will render the course ready to open in September - will certainly bear out Payne’s Valley as a ‘bucket list’ course. Everything about Payne’s Valley is expansive. The fairways are spacious and the greens are enormous. It is challenging and fun and difficult and scenic, all wrapped into one course.

“We certainly have high hopes for it once the rankings come out and people travel from all over come to play it. I think expectations are low for people traveling from the East Coast or the West Coast coming to the heart of the Midwest to play a golf course, but I think they are going to be surprised,” McQueary said.

You wouldn’t expect anything with Tiger’s name on it to be low-key, and Payne’s Valley certainly has a largesse quality about it. What’s key, however, is that all three 18-hole courses under the Big Cedar Lodge umbrella are distinct.

“The difference compared to Buffalo Ridge and Ozarks National is that it stands out in its look and even in the way it plays,” McQueary said. “The style of sand, the style of Zoysia grass, the strand of zoysia grass is differ-

ent. You go to some destinations and the courses generally look the same from photograph to photograph. You might have to know what you are looking for to tell them apart. Here, you take a picture of a hole and you can pretty much tell which course it belongs to – whether it is the par 3s or even the whole 18.”

McQueary said Tiger has been hands on during the building of

Continued on page 23

Aerial views of Payne’s Valley - the first daily fee golf course designed by Tiger Woods. Photos courtesy of Big Cedar Lodge.

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UT-Chattanooga grad Stephan Jaeger celebrates Boise Open win Tee Times Report CHATTANOOGA - It was a celebratory Sunday in Chattanooga, as 2012 AllAmerican Stephan Jaeger claimed his first win of 2020 and fifth all-time on the PGA’s Korn Ferry Tour. His 22-under total gave him a two-shot win over Dan McCarthy and Brandon Wu at the Albertsons Boise Open.

Jaeger, who prepped at the Baylor School and makes his home in the Scenic City, turned in rounds of 65, 64, 65 and 68. His playing partner Cameron Young tied him at 21 under on the second hole, but it was all Jaeger from there. A rare bogey on 17, he had just five over-par scores for the event and only one over the final 46 to cruise to the win, was the only hiccup. The lead remained around three shots for a majority of the day before settling for the two-stroke cushion.

He’s the 13th player to win five or more events on the tour with Jason Gore’s seven wins atop the list. In a Korn Ferry Tour release, he shared an interesting take on playing with a lead.

“I feel comfortable being uncomfortable,” Jaeger reiterated after the win.

“The only time I get uncomfortable is when I have the lead. My goal every time I play is to win the golf tournament. It’s been a little bit of a drought, and obviously I was on Tour last year and I want to win one of those, but I’m on the Korn Ferry Tour this year so I’m going to try and win as many as I can by next August.”

He graduated to the PGA Tour in 2018 and played there through 2019 before coming back to the Korn Ferry Tour this year. Due to the COIVD 19 pandemic, the rules for returning changed. He’s playing to earn a Top 25 spot on the Korn Ferry Tour upon completion of the schedule in August 2021. Jaeger’s currently 12th.

He picked the right time to put it all together. The Albertsons Boise Open is the first event of the three-event Tour Championship Series. There are five exemptions into the 2020 U.S. Open for the top five not otherwise exempt with Jaeger clearly atop the list. Next up is the Nationwide Children’s Hospital Championship this weekend in Columbus, Ohio. The U.S. Open is slated for Sept. 17-20 at Winged Foot Golf Club.

The 2020 Legacy PGA Jr. League began Tuesday July 7th.

With 2 teams of 27 juniors and meets every Tuesday at 4:00pm for 10 weeks through September 15th, skipping September 1st.

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Nancy Quarcelino sees career come full circle

By Justin Onslow Tee Times Associate Editor To be an effective golf teacher, one first needs to be an effective teacher.

Of all the things Nancy Quarcelino has learned in a golf career that spans five decades, there’s nothing she’s taken to heart more than that.

Quarcelino has the accolades to fill

an entire page in this publication: Golf Magazine Top 100 Teacher, LPGA National Teacher of the Year, LPGA Ellen Griffin Rolex award, induction in the LPGA Professionals Hall of Fame – and on and on. Those accolades mean a lot to her, but not nearly as much as the joy of teaching.

Before all the accolades, there was a master’s degree in education, physical

Nancy Quarcelino’s School of Golf caters to players of all ages.

education and recreation – a degree Quarcelino says she never got to use in a classroom setting, thanks in big part to a coaching career that took off rather quickly. Now, after decades as a coach, she finally gets to put her master’s degree to work how she originally intended.

“I’ve been an adjunct professor for the last year for Keiser University College of Golf,” she says.

“I’m now a professor that I thought I would never be. My career has done a huge circle around back to my education. I’m teaching and just finishing up my fourth class at Keiser. This is something I will continue to do well into my retirement years.”

Those retirement years may not come for some time, though, considering how much Quarcelino loves doing what she does full-time in running the Nancy Quarcelino School of Golf at Gaylord Springs Golf Links in Nashville.

“I never thought I’d be doing anything else,” she says. “As soon as I started the school, I knew this is what I wanted.

Yes, I could go back and be a head pro or director of golf, but I really didn’t want to go back to that because I really found my passion in teaching. I was going to make it work and I have. It’s been my life. It’s been my passion.”

Quarcelino started her career coaching at Florida State and then took the position as head coach at Western Kentucky University in 1979, simultaneously serving as the head pro at Indian Hills Country Club in Bowling Green, Kentucky. She left in 1986 to help Mike Eller open Hermitage Golf Course, hand-picked by Eller, who had followed her career to that point.

But Quarcelino has always been drawn to teaching, and she knew the path

2020 Distinguished Career Award

Nancy Quarcelino, PGA

TENNESSEE

1.) Joe Hallett, Vanderbilt Legends C., Franklin 2.) Matt Killen, Troubadour G. & Field C., College Grove 3.) Rob Akins, Rob Akins Golf Academy at Spring Creek Ranch, Collierville 4.) Brian Lackey, G.C. of Tennessee, Kingston Springs 5.) Nancy Quarcelino, Gaylord Springs G. Links, Nashville 6.) Virgil Herring, Ensworth Golf Center, Nashville 7.) Henrik Simonsen, The Honors C., Ooltewah 8.) Matt Walter, Vanderbilt Legends C., Franklin 9.) Ben Pellicani, Westhaven G.C., Franklin 10.) Walt Chapman, Fairways and Greens, Knoxville 11.) Brad Redding, Target Golf Practice and Training Facility, Knoxville 12.) Jake Reeves, Fox Den C.C., Knoxville 13.) Gaylon Cude, Golf House Tennessee Learning Center, Franklin 14.) Jex Wilson, Old Fort G.C., Murfreesboro

she wanted to take to make that her full-time job.

“I think that my job has always been to help my students and help them love golf,” she says. “I will teach and continue to teach as long as I’m relevant in the golf industry, as long as I’m relevant to that student and as long as I love it.”

It’s not just teaching the game Quarcelino loves so much – it’s also teaching others to teach the game and grow the sport, which is why she’s so fond of her adjunct professorship.

“There’s been four instructors that have come under me that have gone on to do their own golf schools,” she explains. “Being able to help my fellow teachers and help them become better at their craft … that’s fun to help people become good at their craft. I’m helping them grow the game.”

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Nancy Quarcelino gives instruction to a group of players.

It all comes back to the same thing: Quarcelino is a teacher at heart. The best golfers in the world don’t necessarily make the best teachers. The best teachers who also love golf make the best golf teachers.

At the Nancy Quarcelino School of Golf, that’s the focus. She and her business partner, Rita Reasons, see golfers of all ages and skill levels and offer everything from private lessons to group sessions and multi-day golf schools. And despite working with

so many students on a full-time basis, there’s still one thing Quarcelino always comes back to; a mantra that spawned from a time when she was planning on making a move and wanted to know if her students would follow.

“It was going to be about a 30-minute drive,” she says. “They said that hour they come to see me is their vacation time away from work, away from family, away from my life. My first lesson of the day and my last lesson of the

day, I’m giving that person that time because this is their time. It’s their time away. It’s the only time they have.

I’ve taken that part and made that decision early on that I’m going to give them my best.”

Quarcelino always gives her best – her best effort and her best skill, which is teaching. Whether it’s teaching at her golf school or shaping future golf teachers at Keiser, there’s nothing else she’s rather be doing. That alone says more about Quarcelino than any award ever could – and that’s saying something.

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Eagle-eyed Morard claims Golf Capital of Tennessee Women’s Open Tennessee Golf Association FAIRFIELD GLADE, Tenn. – On a day that figured to be all about the Big Orange, it was a University of Alabama golfer who turned the tide late in the Golf Capital of Tennessee Women’s Open.

Incoming UA freshman Michaela Morard used an eagle on No. 8 at Stonehenge Golf Club to make her move in the rain-shortened final round and went on to claim a onestroke victory in the 22nd renewal of the state championship open to both professionals and amateurs.

“This is special, being my first professional event,” said the 18-year-old Morard, who just missed out on being the youngest player to ever win the event by one month.

Morard is no stranger to winning.

She claimed the Alabama Girls’ Junior Amateur a record five times and also won the 2019 Alabama Women’s Amateur Championship.

She got off to a slow start at the Tennessee Women’s Open on Thursday with an opening 75, but bounced back with a 67 in the second round.

Still, she entered the last day of the tournament four strokes back of leader Micheala Williams, who is from Athens, Alabama and a senior at the University of Tennessee. Her hopes of victory got even more slim when the final round was cut to nine holes after a lengthy weather delay.

“I shot 32 on the front nine in the second round, so I knew I had it in me,” Morard said. “When my dad and I were riding up to the first tee (for the final nine), we were like, ‘Okay, we’re flag hunting today’.”

In the final group, Williams was at 6-under, one stroke ahead of recent Lady Vols commitment Kynadie Adams of Gallatin, Tenn. They were joined by University of Kansas product Sera Tadokoro, who was 4-under.

Adams took the lead on the first hole with a par while made a double-bo-

gey.

Adams maintained the one-stroke advantage over Williams the rest of the way after they swapped birdies (Williams on No. 2 and Adams on 3).

Neither saw Morard charging from back in the pack. A birdie on No. 2 got the Huntsville native started early, but four straight pars after that left her needing to make up some strokes quickly as she still sat three strokes behind Adams. Morard got within two shots with a birdie on the seventh hole and took the lead with a three-shot swing on No. 8 thanks to an eagle while Adams made a bogey.

Morard came to the Golf Capital of Tennessee Women’s Open just looking for tournament reps after a spring that saw her not play much golf due to injuries and the COVID-19 pandemic.

She’s been fighting back issues, and then over Christmas break she suffered a fall down some steps which left her with a sprained wrist and tendinitis.

She didn’t swing a golf club for almost eight months and had only played in one other big event coming into this week in Crossville – the North & South Women’s Amateur at

Pinehurst the week before.

Williams ended up third at 4-under, followed by Kailie Vongsaga (Diamond Bar, Calif.), Tia Teiniketo (Homewood, Ala.) and Tadokoro.

The top finishing professional was Elizabeth Nagel. Her seventh-place finish was good enough to collect her the top professional prize of $5,000.

She was the only pro to finish in the top 18. Defending champion Ashli Bunch and Chattanooga native Jordan Britt – both professionals – were in a large group to finish T19.

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Opinion

By David Widener

Member Golf Writers Association of America

Excitement lessened by lack of spectators D

o fans and huge crowds making loud noise really play a role in who wins sporting events? With professional golf, we are finding out if not having fans cheering on players matters as COVID-19 has turned tournaments into events with no spectators.

Fans have not been allowed since the tour’s restart and will continue through the 2019-20 season final at the Tour Championship. With the Nov. 12-15 Masters recently joining that list, it now includes all three majors this year, but let’s admit it. The Masters is at the top of the list when it comes to fans and noise. From the opening hole all the way through the back nine, players can often figure out what’s happening with others just by listening. Roars come from everywhere.

That will be missing this year.

“Part of the allure and kind of majesty of Augusta National is the patrons,” Nashville’s Brandt Snedeker, who tied for third in 2008 and for sixth in 2013, told Doug Ferguson of Associated Press.

“You have that electricity from the first moment on Thursday morning to the last putt goes in on Sunday night on every hole. It’s not just on the back nine — it’s on every hole.

So, to not have that, there is going to be a different feeling.”

The PGA Championship was one of the first tournaments played this year without spectators. “ I t ’ s

Tony Finau

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Judging from the results of two of the early tournaments, having no spectators did not seem to bother the winners, perhaps because of a lack of experience.

Collin Morikawa, won the PGA Championship at age 23 and is one of only nine players in more than a century to win the tournament in their debut. That list includes Shaun Micheel of Memphis in 2003.

Brandt Snedeker Jim Herman, winner of the Wyndham Championship, is a former assistant pro and career grinder ranked outside the top 300 in the world, so why should he worry about no spectators being present?

All he did was match the lowest 36-hole weekend score on the PGA Tour in winning the tournament.

Herman’s credentials were so bad going into the Wyndham that Las Shaun Micheel Vegas Superbook reported only one bet, a $2 wager, was placed on him to win at 600-1 odds, which resultArrowhead Stadium, home of the ed in a payoff of $1,200!

Kansas City Chiefs, tops the NFL Tour players seem to like the noise in loud crowds, having the highest created by galleries, but noise is loved even more in team sports, es- noise level recorded of 142.2 decibels. pecially college and pro football.

The noise created by fans in those LSU’s Tiger Stadium ranks as havstadiums is definitely a factor in the ing the loudest noise and I agree from having covered several games team won-loss record at home just there as a sportswriter for newspa- as there is no doubt PGA Tour pros pers. It got so loud in1988 the noise feed off roars from galleries in winmanaged to register an earthquake ning championships.

Hopefully the fans will be back on the Louisiana Geological Survey next season. seismograph.

Collin Morikawa been an adjustment because I like the type of energy of playing the big events and having the crowd behind you,” said Tony Finau, who tied for third. “Hearing the noise, the chants, the claps — you kind of feed off all that as a competitor and as a player. I definitely miss having the fans out to give you that extra rush and energy of major championship golf.”

Jim Herman

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Not your grandpare

Popular Missouri tourist desti

By Gregg Dewalt Tee Times Editor BRANSON, Mo. – You know you are getting close to Branson when the frequency of the roadside signage increases dramatically.

There are signs for just about everything – water parks, mini-golf, zip lines, shopping, restaurants and museums. And shows. Lots and lots of shows, like Dolly’s Stampede and Yakov Smirnoff, and music venues touting Jim Stafford, Mickey Gilley, Dick Clark and a multitude of others.

There’s also the water sports angle, with Table Rock Lake and Lake Taneycomo.

Sometimes lost in the Branson shuffle, so to speak, is the budding golf industry. Sure, Branson might be best known as an entertainment capital sitting on the backroads of the Midwest that attracts thousands of visitors annually, but local tourism officials hope to add “golf destination” to the extensive list of the area’s offerings.

They’ve now got the chops to back it up, too, thanks to a golf course listing that features courses at Big Cedar Lodge from Bill Coore-Ben Crenshaw (Ozarks National), Tiger Woods (Payne’s Valley) and Tom Fazio (Buffalo Ridge), to short-course offerings from Gary Player (Mountain Top)

and Jack Nicklaus (Top of the Rock).

And that’s just at Big Cedar Lodge. Among the other local courses available to visitors is Branson Hills Golf Club, which is an interesting Chuck Smith/Bobby Clampett collaboration that will leave you scratching your head with some over-the-top green complexes that completes the must-play grand slam of 18-hole courses in the area.

Although golf has always been available in Branson, officials hope the addition of Tiger Woods’ first design available for public play – Payne’s Valley – and the recent addition of Ozarks National are the final pieces of a puzzle to attract a new demographic to the area.

“Golf, to me, would be the fifth element for revenue,” said Kirk Elmquist, vice president for sports development for Branson.

“You now have championship golf tied into the four local courses that have been here for many years. Now you have newer ones that lift it up even more. You look at the lake, theaters, attractions, entertainment, dining and then lodging – those drive the tourism here. But golf has been a big lifter for sure.”

Elmquist said metrics indicated that in 2019, 8.2 million people flew over Branson with golf clubs on their planes. If Branson can lure just a fraction of those people to

The par-3 No. 8 at Ozarks National is a perfect example of Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw’s design philosophy

The opening hole at Branson Hills gives a glimpse into what’s to come on the tight, tree-lined layout its courses, Elmquist said it would provide an influx of new tourism dollars to an already robust entertainment/vacation industry.

“We look at the demographics, we look at the buying patterns and the behavior patterns of people – this is a great stop-off place to fuel your plane, play 18 holes and head to the other coast and then do it again on your way back,” he said.

Now, with the addition of Ozarks National and Tiger’s new Payne’s Valley, Elmquist is confident Branson has the golf to do just that.

Johnny Morris, founder and CEO of Bass Pro shops, has been the driving force behind putting together the series of highend golf courses at Big Cedar Lodge to make it a golf destination comparable to any in the country. With jaw-dropping terrain for golf that includes panoramic vistas of the surrounding countryside, Morris gave Coore-Crenshaw and Woods a blank canvas to design tough, demanding, interesting and fun courses. The best thing is that all of the courses are distinct and no two holes are alike.

Here’s a rundown on the golf available at Big Cedar Lodge (golfbigcedar.com): • Buffalo Ridge opened in 1999 as Branson Creek but has been renovated and rebranded. If you are lucky, when you tee off on the first hole there is a good chance you will see some North American bison grazing in a pasture left of the fairway.

It features five sets of tees, ranging from the red markers (5,004 yards) to the Buffalo (7,036 yards). One thing all of the Big

Cedar courses have in common is wide fairways and spacious greens, and Buffalo Ridge is no different.

The course has been rated the No. 1 Public Course in Missouri by Golf Magazine and has been named one of the Top 10 Missouri Courses by Golf Digest since 2001.

• Ozarks National is another gem in the Coore/Crenshaw collection of courses. It opened in 2019 and was named the top new public course in the country by Golf Digest.

Built along a ridgeline, Ozarks National offers spectacular views and has an oldschool links feel to it. From the tips, it measures 7,036 yards. From the red markers, it’s 5,025 yards. It features all of the Coore/ Crenshaw design elements we’ve come to expect, including greens complexes that are distinct and challenging. One of the best holes is No. 8, a par 3 that plays over a steep native area that features dramatic bunkering in the front, left and behind the green.

• Payne’s Valley is scheduled to be completely open in September. It currently has 13 holes available. (See separate story for more details).

• Top of the Rock is one of two short courses at the resort. Designed by Jack Nicklaus, Top of the Rock features nine outstanding par 3s ranging from 123 yards to 202 yards from the black tees.

As with Buffalo Ridge and Ozarks National, it’s hard not to get caught up in the views. Top of the Rock was included in the Legends of Golf, a PGA Tour Champions event, a first for professional golf.

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ents’ Branson

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ination now a golfer’s paradise

The 14th hole on Buffalo Ridge is a demanding, picturesque par 5 Don’t let some of the shorter par 3s fool you, though. The Nicklaus touch is evident in the severe greenside bunkering, making club selection difficult. This isn’t a pitchand-putt course.

• Mountain Top is another short course with 13 holes and designed by Gary Player, who routed the course through some stunning rock formations dating back 300-milion years.

Memorable holes include the second hole, a long uphill par 3 that features a heavily sloping two-tiered green. Also, the finishing hole is a paltry 95 yards that plays longer thanks to the uphill tee shot.

Branson and Big Cedar Lodge were in line to get a major publicity boost by hosting a pair of PGA Tour Champions events in back-to-back weeks at Buffalo Ridge and Ozarks National.

For officials like Elmquist, who previously worked with the St. Louis Cardinals baseball organization, golf is adding another dimension to the Branson experience. He said it pairs nicely with the other entertainment options the area offers.

“You look at the lake, theaters, attractions, entertainment, dining and then lodging – those drive the tourism here. But golf has been a big lifter for sure,” he said. “With the outlets and the shopping and the good, fun attractions for kids, I think golf became kind of a dad thing over the years. Golf has dipped into every demographic. You bring in the championship golf and you get girls trips, bachelor or bachelorette trips. Husband and wife golf trips. You have every aspect of golf from amateur to professional

here.”

Away from the Big Cedar menu of courses lies some long-time staples of the Branson golf scene. Branson Hills is one of the courses and at first glance, it’s equally tough, if not tougher, than its counterparts.

The fairways are tighter and its expan-

sive greens are severe with slopes, undulations and false fronts.

Dan Davis, the general manager at Branson Hills, says the new influx of high-end daily fee courses is helping, not hurting his business. His theory is that any new play helps the area, and with a fine course of his own to promote, Branson Hills will get its share of the spillover.

“Initially Big Cedar took away from play a little bit,” said Davis, who has been at Branson Hills since 2011. “More and more every year that goes by, it has enhanced it.

We are pulling more people from across the country. It used to be that our main crowd was from Kansas City, St. Louis, Tulsa and Oklahoma City. With the addition of (Big Cedar Lodge’s golf courses), before Branson had a lot of shorter courses, and it was geared to seniors.”

That’s changed as tourism officials look to attract a younger crowd.

“They are really promoting outdoor activities,” Davis said. “The average age of Branson is coming down, and the golf front what Big Cedar is doing as far as national advertising and the attention they are getting with the tournament they have and the quality of their courses being similar to this, it has really enhanced us. That’s why now we are starting to see

our numbers tick back up. I think it will continue to do so.”

On the day Davis was talking to golf media members, he said he had a group of 16 golfers from Atlanta playing Branson Hills. He’s seen similar size groups from Dallas and Chicago. Surprisingly, he said he had a group in from Indiana.

“I had never seen that before,” he said.

“It’s starting to spread away from the two- to three-hour drives that we used to depend on. We are getting to further destinations now.”

Being tourism-centric, Branson has plenty of options when it comes to accommodations. From condos and lake cabins to hotels and motels, there is no shortage of places to stay.

One of the best, however, is the Hilton Branson Convention Center. It is conveniently located in the heart of downtown Branson and within easy walking distance of many of the shows and the ever-popular Branson Landing that features a wide variety of shops and restaurants.

The Hilton Branson Convention Center has 294 rooms, onsite dining and two bars, an indoor pool and an outdoor pool, a fitness center and other amenities. It also is just a short drive away from most of the area’s golf courses.

Mountain Top’s second hole is a long, uphill par 3 on the Gary Player-designed 13-hole short course

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August 2020

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The Legacy –Nashville area’s best value

By David Theoret Tee Times Contributor Golfers in the Nashville area have a plethora of choices when it comes to playing golf and many of them opt to play at the Legacy in Springfield.

The Legacy was designed by PGA Hall of Famer Raymond Floyd and opened in 1996. Golf Advisor has ranked The Legacy the No. 2 Public Course in Tennessee and one round on the course will validate this rating.

From the back tees The Legacy plays 6,776-yards; 5 sets of tees provide suitable yardages so that any level of golfer will have a great time. The Legacy is a Certified Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary, and the course is committed to protecting the local environment and conserving natural resources. There’s no limit to the wildlife you could see as you make your way around.

Before your round, be sure to hit a few balls on The Legacy’s full-length driving range where you can hit every club in the bag. Stroke a few putts on the practice green and head to the first tee.

Floyd took advantage of the existing mature woodlands that are spread throughout the lush, rolling hills, and offer tremendous views of the Tennessee countryside and the surrounding area. Although the length won’t overwhelm most players, the narrowness might so be prepared to encounter hazards in many forms.

The Legacy has several memorable holes, beginning with No. 2, a medium length par 4 that plays 359 yards from the Orange Tees and is very narrow.

Although the fairway gets narrow the farther down your tree shot travels, most players can still hit driver off the tee. Playing down the left side will take the bunkers out of play on the right and leave the best angle into the green.

No. 14 Green

Push anything right off the tee and the severe drop-off may claim your ball!

Consider hitting an extra club into the green as it plays uphill. The green is long and narrow with a deep bunker on the right.

The run from Nos. 9-12 can make or break your round. The front nine ends with a 405-yard par 4 with a tee shot through a chute of trees, while No. 10 is a 416-yard beast that requires an accurate tee shot with a forced carry.

Again, an extra club is advised on your approach shot as it plays longer than you think. Anything short of the green will leave a challenging up and down.

Par is a good score here.

If I were naming holes, Number 11 would be called “Right is Death.” Regardless of the tees you play from, the tee shot is blind and accuracy is extremely important. Push your tee shot right and you’ll see what I mean.

At 171 yards, the par-3 12th hole plays into a well-undulated green that sits at an angle from the tee. With a back left pin placement, the bunker and false fronted green force you to carry your tee shot onto the green. I would name this hole “Longer Than It Looks,” because I hit the appropriate iron well and came up woefully short!

After your round, whet your whistle at The Legacy Grill where you can grab either a quick bite or a full meal.

No. 11 Green

No. 13 Green The Grill is a comfortable place to relax and relive your round with friends while enjoying spectacular views of the golf course. Satisfy your palette with a variety of hot & cold entrees, quick-to-go sandwiches, snacks, breakfast, and plenty of cold beverages.

If you live in the area and enjoy playing The Legacy, you may want to consider an annual pass. All passes include greens fees, cart fees, range balls, and applicable taxes. Call the pro shop for more information.

The Legacy’s pro shop offers a wide variety of competitively priced golf equipment and logoed apparel. Their

No. 7 Green

professional staff can also help you out with club repair or take advantage of a certified custom fitting when you purchase a set of clubs. You can test your new clubs at The Legacy’s practice area, which features a full length driving range with grass tees and target areas and separate chipping and putting area to practice your short game. In case you need help getting the most out of your new gear, The Legacy’s professional staff is available for both private and group lessons.

You can experience the course for yourself by giving them a call at (615) 384-4653. Tee times can also be booked online at www.golfthelegacy. com.

No. 3 Green

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Memphian Jack Crosby goes wire-to-wire for Tennessee Amateur vicotry Tennessee Golf Association NASHVILLE – It’s impossible to talk about the history of the Tennessee Amateur and not delve deep into the proud tradition the Memphis area has had in the state’s premier amateur golf tournament.

Now, the area can claim one more champion in the Tennessee Amateur’s 105-year history.

Cary Middlecoff, Hillman Robbins, Emmett Spicer, Jr., Tim Jackson, Bobby Hudson, Jonathan Fly, the Wittenbergs … the list goes on and on. Recently at Hillwood Country Club, Jack Crosby became the latest Memphian to hoist the Martin Condon Trophy.

Crosby led the 2020 edition of the tournament wire-to-wire, turning in a four-day 14-under-par 274 to win by three strokes over William Nottingham at Hillwood Country Club.

“Memphis is kind of a close-knit kind of crew of golfers,” Crosby said. “It’s a lot of pride to join that group. It’s amazing. It’s been a stressful couple of days, but I know my name will be on that trophy forever.”

Crosby led by two going into the final round over Cookeville’s Will Brooks, but he let the field get back in it with three front-nine bogeys. When he bogeyed the 10th hole, Crosby found himself tied with Brentwood’s Trevor John-

son at 10-under.

And then the eventual champion and Furman golf team member turned it up a notch. Crosby made four birdies in a five-hole stretch starting at No. 13 to pull away.

Nottingham was runner-up for the second straight year at 277, including a 66 in the final round.

University of Tennessee assistant coach Bo Andrews tied for third at 279 along with Tennessee Junior Amateur champion Jack Morris, University of Louisville golfer Trevor Johnson and Will Brooks of Tennessee Tech.

It was Crosby’s fifth appearance in the Tennessee Amateur Championship. He finished fifth in the event at the Honors Course last year and T20 the year before at his home course, Spring Creek Ranch.

He first played in the Tennessee Amateur in 2016 at Blackthorn Club and missed the cut.

“That was after my junior year of high school,” Crosby remembered. “I had no business being there, really. I think I qualified out of sheer luck.”

Crosby was somewhat of a late-comer to the competitive golf scene, though he started taking lessons from Rob Akins at Spring Creek Ranch at a young age.

He mainly played baseball and tennis in high school and only walked onto the Furman golf team midway through his first year of college.

“The past few years have been great,” Crosby said. “I’ve started to believe in myself more and more. It’s nice to have this breakthrough.

August 2020

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Around Nashville Fairways

TEE TIMES

Hours of Operation Tuesday-Sunday Noon - 8 p.m.

Wayne Evans

Superintendent of Sports/ Golf Clubhouse Operations

McCabe reopening with new greens set for Sept. 4 In the entire hubbub about the COVID 19, it seems everything is doom and gloom, affecting our daily lives personally and in business.

But here at the Metro /Nashville Fairway courses, we like to look at the glass as half full, not half empty..

Recently, I received a tour of McCabe’s fantastic new greens. Phil Luckett, Superintendent of Golf Maintenance Operation for Metro Parks and I rode the course for a much anticipated update. They are unbelievable, amazing and exciting greens.

Luckett is more than pleased with the progress.

“These greens are on a fast track and this project has grown in a week or two faster than previous ones,” Phil told me.

“I will enjoy seeing how the new surface challenges players that have played at Mc-

Cabe most of their life. It will harken back to the days when McCabe was Bermuda before, but will be an even better challenge. I hope the patrons at McCabe enjoy the new greens for years to come.”

Phil should know. He oversaw the Bermuda greens at Brentwood Country Club, one of the first in this region to make the switch. He spearheaded the effort to install new TifEagle Bermuda grass greens at Two Rivers, Harpeth Hills, Ted Rhodes, and now at McCabe. If you play any of these courses, you will find thriving, vibrant greens that are a joy to putt on.

Brandon Denton was the superintendent at Harpeth Hills when they installed their new greens, so his prior experience was invaluable when tackling this install.

Brandon and his crew have worked hard throughout the process, and it shows.

North Course No. 9 green

“My crew and I are grateful - Mother Nature has cooperated with ample rain and good sunshine, leaving us to tend and nurture our new greens,” Denton said.

Thanks so much guys - McCabe patrons are so ready to get back and play these beautiful new greens.

McCabe general manager Loren Personett can’t say enough good things about the greens and the effect it will have on play.

“We are amazed at the changes daily,” he said. “All of us are proud of the new greens, and when we check the progress, it is hard not to wipe the grins off our faces.”

We are looking forward to reopening McCabe on Sept. 4.

In the meantime, the driving range is still open and doing tons of business.

The range is open noon to 7 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday until we resume sevenday-a-week operations on the Sept. 4.

We are happy to report that we are having all of our James H. Fyke Municipal Amateur Championships in the next few weeks. The Men’s Amateur Championship is scheduled for Aug. 28-30 at Ted Rhodes and Harpeth Hills. The Women’s Amateur Championship will be played at Harpeth Hills on Sept. 19-20. The Men’s Senior Amateur Championship will be held at Ted Rhodes Sept. 28-29.

Come out and play soon, - Wayne

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We Love Our Golfers!!!

Harpeth Hills

2424 Old Hickory Blvd. • 615-862-8493

McCabe

t 4th

Sep Opening

46th & Murphy Rd. • 615-862-8491

Percy Warner

Forrest Park Dr. • 615-352-9958

Shelby

20th & Fatherland • 615-862-8474

Two Rivers

Two Rivers Parkway • 615-889-2675

Ted Rhodes

1901 Ed Temple Blvd. • 615-862-8463

VinnyLinks

2009 Sevier Street • 615-880-1720

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August 2020

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New carts, rebooking outings and a little humor I

t appears we are having quite a few people take up our game during these trying times and we are certainly glad to have them.

Along the way, and all in good fun, there have been some really amusing things happen that are ‘firsts’ for me, and they fall in the category of “you can’t make this stuff up.”

For instance, we had a fellow call to say that he wanted to play golf the next day but the weather forecast was for a 60% chance of rain, and “did we still plan to be open?” That did bring up something I always wondered about.

Could our weather forecasters sell a little more hope? Instead of predicting a 50% chance of thunderstorms, could they say there is a 50% chance of having no rain?

Believe it or not, there are many people who plan their golf around those forecasts. I like the half-full idea myself.

We also had a gentleman call for a tee time for the following day, and our golf professional told him 10:40 was available, to which he replied, “A.M. or P.M.?”

These are only a few of the things that brighten our days on the TGT.

Speaking of brighter days, we are rebooking some of our outings that were cancelled in the spring when we were closed or working through tough reopenings.

As all of you know, we have new rules to go by as far as social distancing and crowds in general are concerned, but with help from everyone we can still have our fundraising outings that do so much for our communities across the state.

We are proud of the fact that our courses host events that put over $750,000 each year in charitable giving back into the communities we

1975 U.S. Open Champion Lou Graham

serve. The game of golf gives more money to charity than all other professional sports leagues combined, and we are happy to be able to support a small portion of the groups that do so much for others across our great state.

When you next arrive at one of our Tennessee Golf Trail courses you will see new golf carts for your riding pleasure. We are always trying to give our customer as much enjoyment as possible on a limited budget and, in my opinion, this is one of the ways we can do that.

As many of you know we have transitioned into full electric mode when it comes to our golf carts on the TGT, saving thousands of gallons of gasoline each year and reducing our CO2 output by hundreds of thousands of pounds per year, while taking a lot of noise away from our courses, allowing our players to keep their minds on golf and the wonderful wildlife that our courses support.

We are proud to say that the TGT was awarded a Certified Green Fleet award from the Tennessee Transportation Forum last year for our efforts.

The PGA Championship at Harding Park in San Francisco did not disappoint even though there were no fans on property. Obviously, it would have been better with the normal crowd noise, but for right now I think we should be happy to be playing and watching.

The U.S. Open at Winged Foot in New

York will be played without fans as well, but I am glad it is being played and look forward to the challenge that course will be for the players of today.

By the way, this is the 45th anniversary of our friend Lou Graham’s victory in the Open at Medinah in Chicago. Seems like yesterday—a big shout out to Louie!

As always, we invite you to visit any of our courses whether it is for personal enjoyment or for business opportunities. Do not forget that the Montgomery Bell Lodge and Pickwick Landing Lodge are now open for business after some terrific renovations to those properties. Please go to tnstateparks. com for your golf and lodging needs— we look forward to seeing you soon.

- Mike

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August 2020

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Ball games

The right ball doesn’t always have to be the most expensive ball

By Gregg Dewalt difference.”

Tee Times Editor Will Wright, of GOLFTEC’s Cool We all know the feeling. You take a brand Springs location, agrees with Warren that new, high-dollar golf ball out of its sleeve higher handicap players generally trend on the first tee thinking today is going to toward purchasing harder balls that tend be the day – a course record or a personal to improve their distance. best is on the horizon.

“Generally speaking, if you are shooting And then you make that first swing. In- in the 100s, you are probably losing a lot of stead of carrying it a Bryson DeChambeau- golf balls,” Wright said. “So, it makes sense esque 340 yards straight down the middle, budget-wise to go buy a dozen balls for the ball starts straight right, curves fur- $15 versus buying a dozen balls for $45 ther to the right and clangs off a couple of because you know you are probably going trees deep in the woods, never to be found to lose a lot of them when you are on the again. course. The better players want the more Or, it nosedives straight left into that control, more spinny ball that costs them pond that shouldn’t come into play, but more. But in most cases, they aren’t losing does. a lot of balls per round.”

One shot, one $5 bill down the tubes.

Wright said golfers aren’t immune from Rinse and repeat throughout the rest of brand loyalty. the round. By the time you hit the 19th “People buy brands in cars and whatever hole, you’ve gone through a half-dozen else you want to apply that to,” he said. balls and will have to reload for the next “Whenever you see the best players in the round. world playing a Titleist ProV1 or the new In short, golf is expensive enough with- TaylorMade TP 5 ball, everybody steers in out running up an expensive tab keeping that direction because the pros are makyourself supplied with balls. ing every putt they look at, so it must be The fact is, most of us don’t have to play the ball versus their practice and putting the name-brand golf balls. Unlike the guys stroke and the work they put in. Golf balls on TV who tout those brands but haven’t like Snell or Vice or even the Kirkland ball, paid for a sleeve since they were play- they are all really good golf balls but don’t ing in the junior ranks, we simply aren’t have the prestige or the brand of Titleist.” that good. And there are plenty of lesserWith that in mind, here are a couple of expensive balls that will perform just brands you might not have heard of but as well. In recent years, that produce quality golf balls. brands such as Vice, Snell, For full disclosure, I’m an 8-handKirkland, RZN and Volvik icap player with a slow-to-medihave entered the competium swing speed and have a high tive golf ball market that launch angle with my irons and features commonly known driver. I have no certain golf ball brands such as Titleist, that I play on a regular basis. One TaylorMade, Callaway and round might be played with TiBridgestone tleiest ProV1s, another might be Teaching professional played a TaylorMade or BridgesJohnny Warren, of the tone, etc., etc.

Johnny Warren Golf AcadVolvik Tour XT Soft emy in Nashville, admits he Johnny Warren Volvik has steadily been makis no expert when it comes ing inroads on the pro to golf balls and golf ball tours and it is easy fittings, but said that in his experience to see why. the golf ball doesn’t make a big differThe soft-rubber ence to the vast majority of players. core of the Volvik What the ball feels like coming off the XT Soft golf ball clubface is important to higher-caliber uses bismuth, a players, Warren said. rare heavy metal.

“For a good player, it is,” he said of It’s used in the outer a ball’s feel. “But for the majority of portion of the core players, I’d say a lot of times if they to improve resiliency hit a ball and you asked them if it and promote better was a Top Flite or a ProV1, a hard energy transfer. The Will Wright ball as opposed to something that three-piece ball feais going to spin better, I don’t think tures a urethane cover they could tell you the difference. Lower with a three-line alignment stamp to ashandicap players would know, I think, but sist with putting. It received a Gold Medal the majority of golfers wouldn’t know the rating from Golf Digest’s “Best New Golf

Balls” equipment list for 2020 in the over $35 category.

My thoughts: I played the lime version Volvik Tour XT Soft for two rounds of tournament play and was more than pleased with the way the ball came off the clubface.

The ball was actually a little longer than other premium balls when I caught it flush with my driver. It performed well on approach shots and it had plenty of spin on chip shots and bunker shots. It had a nice feel coming off the putter face, and the three-lines makes it easier to line up putts.

At under $40 per dozen, the Volvik Tour XT Soft is a good alternative to other Tour balls that are slightly more expensive.

RZN MS-Tour; RZN Distance

This company originally produced Nike’s golf balls before that company got out of the equipment business. The RZN MS-Tour is a three-piece tour performance golf ball with soft urethane cover and 3D speed lock technology. Designed with state- of-the-art technology of the RZN brand, expect a soft and powerful tour ball targeted for medium swing speeds players.

My thoughts: Like the Volvik, the MSTour offered good distance with all my clubs and had a soft feel around the greens.

It was easy to spin and had a good grab on chip shots. It had a nice, soft feel on putts, and also features alignment lines to make it easy to line up putts. It’s $29.95 price makes it an attractive alternative to those higher priced premium balls.

RZN Distance

The RZN Distance is a three-piece golf ball with a resin core and high resilient ionomer cover manufactured with state-of-the-art technology of the RZN Brand. It’s designed to maximize distance with effortless swing while keeping a soft feel of the ball.

My thoughts: The ball is advertised as explosive distance on all long shots due to its powerful Resin Core formulation. I didn’t find it any longer than its MS-Tour companion, but it wasn’t any shorter either. It didn’t quite have the same feel as the MSTour ball, instead it had a little harder feel and I couldn’t spin it much on chip shots.

With a $19.95 price point, the RZN is a good value for higher-handicap players.

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TEE TIMES

(l-r) Keith Bell, Rick Chester & Freeman Key

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(l-r) David Graham, Jimmy Grubbs, Harvey Major, & Jimmy Hughes

(l-r) Keith Whitley, Scott Dillard, Kayla Long, Zack Bevis

Oak Hills 2020 Club Champion Name: Kevin Hughes Hometown: White House, Tennessee When did you pick up the game of golf? 2005 Who introduced you to golf?

My dad, he played.

How long have you been a member at Oak Hills Golf Club?

I joined here in 2005 Do you play regularly there? Usually once a week Who do you play with? Members or guest/friends Do you play other courses other than your home course?

Yes, I enjoy the Legacy of Springfield How many times have you won this competition?

2012, 2018, 2019, and 2020 Do you take or have you taken golf lessons?

No, I have not taken lessons.

What do you love the most about playing at Oak Hills Golf Course?

I enjoy the people, staff

Larry Summers

(l-r) Jake Downard & Adam Hampton

(l-r) Pete Jansen, Brent Edmister, PGA,GM. Brandon Justice & Coach Jim Norris

(l-r) Kevin Hughes- Champion & Brent Edmister, PGA

Thomas Mangrum

(l-r) Todd Daniel, Bill Stewart, Mark Hampton, Jim Griffin

(l-r) Kevin Hughes & Chris Holbert

(l-r) David Upton, Eric Dickson, & Ryan Dickerson

(l-r) Bill Vernich, Darroll Luster & Cameron Grogan

August 2020

www.teetimespaper.com

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21

Equipment Corner New Sun Mountain outerwear features break-through insulation New for 2021, Sun Mountain is introducing the Colter Jacket and Vest featuring insulated panels for core warmth and side panels with 4-way stretch for easy range of motion.

The insulated panels use the breakthrough 37.5® insulation which is known for its ability to actively regulate body temperature and resist moisture.

Both the Colter Jacket and Vest feature a clean, unquilted appearance. Slated to be on-line and in-store in September, retail prices will be $149.99 for the Colter Jacket and $119.99 for the Colter Vest.

The 37.5 insulation is a synthetic fiber known for its unique ability to absorb body heat and help transmit moisture

out. This results in maintaining an ideal core temperature for athletic performance and comfort. 37.5 insulation keeps the body warm without overheating allowing jackets featuring it to be worn longer and in a broader range of temperatures. 37.5 also resists odors and its insulating qualities never wash out or wear away.

Colter Jacket is a full-zip, hooded jacket with insulated body panels and 4-way stretch side panels and sleeves allowing a free golf swing. The jacket features two hand warmer pockets, internal and external chest pockets, and a zip-through collar with chin-guard. Colter Jacket is available in four different colors.

Colter Vest is a packable, ultra-lightweight insulated vest with 4-way stretch

side panels, two hand-warmer pockets, internal and external chest pockets (the internal pocket doubles as a stuff sack) and a zip-through collar with chin-guard. Colter Vest is available in four different colors.

Sun Mountain is also using 37.5 insulation in the Granite Jacket and Vest which features a square, quilting pattern; Trapper Jacket which features insulated body and sleeves; and the Women’s AT Hybrid Jacket and Vest featuring insulated panels and 4-way stretch side panels.

For 30 years Sun Mountain has been a pioneer in the golf industry, revolutionizing golf bags, golf outerwear and golf carts. Sun Mountain’s many innovations, including the first lightweight golf bag

and modern stand bag, have made it the top golf bag company in North America.

Within golf outerwear, Sun Mountain redefined golf-specific performance first with the windshirt, then fleece, and again with its four-way stretch, waterproof, and breathable rainwear. The Sun Mountain Speed Cart® golf push cart transformed walking carts and created an entirely new category of golf products. Sun Mountain’s “Ahead of Time Design” motto drives the company to continually design and refine golf equipment. For the Sun Mountain retailer nearest you call 800-227-9224 or visit www.sunmountain.com.

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The golf course is the perfect place to relax while social distancing, and Mississippi is home to some of the top-rated venues in the country.

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7/10/20 4:05 PM

22

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August 2020

www.teetimespaper.com

Harpeth Valley, Clinger start new junior program

By Gregg Dewalt Tee Times Editor Matt Clinger has done a little bit of everything in the golf industry.

He’s been an instructor, an assistant pro, a general manager, a product representative and a club fitter.

Throughout his career, though, Clinger always had a soft spot in his heart for teaching junior golfers.

After stints in Georgia, Florida and Kansas City, Clinger is back in the game at Harpeth Valley Golf Center where he is starting a US Kids Golf “Pathway Program.”

“It’s basically their level 1 through level 10 – showing the kids the basics all the way until they are prepared for tournament play,” Clinger said.

Clinger is tailoring the program almost like a physical education class and is perfect for children who aren’t going back to school or for those who are home-schooled. The program is for children ages 5 through 14 and began Aug. 13.

Sessions will be offered Monday through Friday at 8 a.m. and 10 a.m., and there will be after-school classes Monday through Wednesday at 3 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. Saturday classes will be at 8 a.m., 10 a.m. and noon.

Cost is $2,000 for nine months or $250 monthly. Individual sessions are $35. Prices include range fees, course

Matt Clinger

fees, US Kids Golf materials and an online portal to track progress.

“I want to make sure everybody has plenty of options,” Clinger said of the diverse time offerings. “Kids can jump in at any time.”

There are a variety of payment options – including per session or monthly (twice per week with no more than 10 kids in a session). Each session is 90 minutes.

“It’s an introduction to golf for some of them and it’s a way to hone their skills and kind of work on the things that make us better golfers,” Clinger said. “We’re trying to create a place to get the younger crowd and raise them up in the golf industry. We want to create a passion for golf in the younger generation.”

Clinger is no stranger to bringing youngsters to the game. He ran successful junior programs at clubs in

Matt Clinger works with a student Georgia, Florida and in Kansas City, and said he always has had a passion for teaching children.

Clinger was working for Honma Golf as a master club fitter when he decided it was time for him to return to teaching kids.

“That’s my passion,” he said. “I enjoy building new players and growing the game. I just felt like it was time for me to get back working with juniors. It’s so much fun for me to see a little kid hit a good ball and their reaction.”

Clinger said Harpeth Valley Golf Center is a perfect place for the academy.

It features an excellent practice facility, featuring a nine-hole par-3 course, a practice range and chipping and putting greens. It also has a pro shop and offers club repair.

“It’s a great practice facility,” Clinger said. “They couldn’t have planned a better place for a junior facility. It’s designed to be a junior golf hotbed. I hope what I bring is value to Harpeth Valley.”

Clinger joins a teaching staff that includes director of golf Stan Smoot and instructors Bill Breen, Vikki Chandley and Scott Pierce. Clinger will devote his time to teaching juniors as Harpeth Valley tries to improve on that demographic.

“In talking to them, I think they saw my passion and I saw what they are trying to do,” Clinger said. “It’s a great facility and they are great people.”

Clinger is a certified US Kids Golf certified coach. The program Clinger offers differs from others in that it

starts with basic instruction but students progress through different levels and are grouped with those with similar-type skill levels. Clinger said the program is extremely structured and each student knows exactly what they will be working on in each session through an open-line portal.

Players get awards when they pass each level.

Clinger, though, emphasizes that classes are designed so that the students have fun.

“I just love to see the kids as they improve,” Clinger said.

For more information, go to harpethvalleygolf.com or call Clinger at 407449-0002.

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August 2020

TEE TIMES

23

Looking for a Tiger fix? Payne’s Valley fits the bill, and then some Continued from page 6 Payne’s Valley, making several site visits and being involved in the conceptual design of the course that will play 7,308 yards from the tips. The 19th hole will be a 202-yard par 3 from the back.

“From what I have been able to see, he has been very involved on the conceptual side,” McQueary said. “He is not usually here overnight. He’ll fly in

– you’ll see the TW jet kind of flying in low and landing at the airport. It’s usually a half day.”

Woods made a site visit last fall shortly after undergoing knee surgery but still walked the entire 18 holes, including the final five that had yet to be sodded.

“He literally walked 14 and he decided he didn’t like the bunker on the left side, I think because the next

hole has a bunker on the left side,” McQueary said.

“On the fly he took a piece of paper and scratched through this concept of changing the hold entirely and passed it on to his No. 2, who is Beau Welling, who was Tom Fazio’s No. 2 for years.”

The result is that No. 14

Tiger and Bass Pro and Big Cedar Lodge founder, Johnny Morris are longtime friends. now has a bunker on the right side of the fairway.

“Tiger sees it as conceptual - this is how I like to play but I want it to be playable for amateurs,” he said.

“This is what I see in a hole and this is what I want players to think about on their shots, and then Beau Welling and his team come in makes it a reality considering the drainage and all the things that go into making the golf course.”

McQueary said Payne’s Valley will hole a unique appeal in that you can play the course from one set of tees and it will beat you up, or play another set and have an enjoyable, funfilled round in which you can shoot a good score.

“I think the average golfer is kind of tired of getting beat up,” he said.

“You are coming here to play maybe one round – you aren’t playing your whole career here – and do you want to get your butt handed to you for 18 holes or do you want to have fun and keep the ball in play. If you are a decent golfer and you can travel to play, this is a course that you can probably come and play and shoot a pretty decent score on.”

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August 2020

TEE TIMES

www.teetimespaper.com Paris Landing

tngolftrail.net

We’re OPEN! We’re READY! We’d love to see you!

Cumberland Mountain

Come enjoy some fresh air and exercise, and a GREAT game of golf, knowing that we’re following the guidelines of the World Health Organization, Centers for Disease Control & Prevention, and local public health authorities.

Harrison Bay

Call for a tee time, or visit our website at tngolftrail.net At press time, our state is monitoring the COVID-19 situation and the importance of slowing its spread with efforts that may impact travel and gatherings.

Please call before visiting any of the courses on the Tennessee Golf Trail, to ensure that the course of your choice is ready for your visit.

1 All courses are Audubon International Certified and are Audubon Cooperative Sanctuaries.

*

Annual passes available.

2

* 3

* Jack Nicklaus Signature Courses

*

The Bear Trace at Cumberland Mountain State Park 407 Wild Plum Lane Crossville, TN 38572 931-707-1640 The Bear Trace at Harrison Bay State Park 8919 Harrison Bay Road Harrison, TN 37341 423-326-0885 The Bear Trace at Tims Ford State Park 891 Wiseman Bend Rd Winchester, TN 37398 931-968-0995 Golf Getaway Package

4

The Golf Course at Fall Creek Falls State Park 626 Golf Course Road Spencer, TN 38585 423-881-5706

5

The Golf Course at Henry Horton State Park 4358 Nashville HWY Chapel Hill, TN 37034 931-364-2319 Stay and Play Packages

6

The Golf Course at Montgomery Bell State Park 800 Hotel Avenue Burns, TN 37029 615-797-2578 Play and Stay Packages

7

The Golf Course at Paris Landing State Park 285 Golf Course Lane Buchanan, TN 38222 731-641-4459 Stay and Play Packages

8

The Golf Course at Pickwick Landing State Park 60 Winfield Dunn Lane Pickwick Dam, TN 38365 731-689-3149

9

The Golf Course at Warriors’ Path State Park 1687 Fall Creek Road Kingsport, TN 37663 423-323-4990